What size bag to pack???

Whatever size pack you take you will always fill it!
I would suggest if you do not intend on doing any serious trekking then take a back pack that has a zip around it so it opens as a suitcase would.
You should only take what you would need for a few weeks - as I am sure you will be washing clothes as you go.
If you are planning on camping and being self sufficient then you will need sleeping bags, tents etc but is staying in hostels then just a sleeping sheet should suffice.
All the usual stuff you would take on holiday really - whatever you forget you can easily buy on the road!
Once you have a rough idea of what you want to take - pack the bag then empty again and try and reduce the contents by half! You will be buying souvenirs along the way and the last thing you want to have to do is buy another bag!
A small day sack will also be useful.
A good place to start with books is the lonley planet!
This website provides lots of advice and ideas can be gleaned from the various blogs which have been posted.

Don't worry about not being prepared - all you really need is your passport and some cash and the rest will just fall into place!

Have fun. Reply to this

Hi Laura,

I agree with Muno about getting one which zips like a suitcase. Also consider your size - if you're a small build you won't want to be lugging a huge backpack round. Take the time to try on a few, and compare different stores for price.

An advantage of getting one on the smaller side is that you never have to worry about going over the luggage limit on flights, and if you get flights with discount airlines it can be 15kg sometimes. I think the heaviest I've been able to pack mine at is 18kg :-)

Don't panic about forgetting something - you'll soon learn how easily you can manage without things you would previously thought essential.

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Hello Laura 😊

What I would do is get all my stuff together that I will take and put it in a heap on the floor. That will give you a clue about what size your backpack needs to be.

But, take as little stuff as you possibly can manage with. It can become a real pain having to carry around a very heavy backpack.

Mel Reply to this

I chose a 40 liter backpack for a 12 month trip and I have to say I'm grateful I did. It may sound small but I still managed to fill it to a weight of 15 kilo's which is more than heavy enough to be lugging around! Remember, it's not just what you can fill it with, it's how HEAVY it will be when you carry it. I used the website One Bag to help me pack and it was fabulous. There are a few essentials you'll need throughout the year but when it comes to clothes I packed for the season I was entering into with only one change of warmer clothes, then when winter hit I mailed my summer clothes home and bought some cheap new clothes from a market. There's no point carrying around clothes you're not going to wear for months! You really only need about 5 days worth of tops and a couple of trousers and a skirt. If you're careful what you choose to take with you you'll be able to create many different looks with only a few simple items. And yes you'll be regularly washing your stuff but big deal? I know it feels like you're packing for a whole year but really you're going to need the same things in a one month trip as you would in a twelve month one. Not to mention that a lot of what you're carrying will be updated and replaced because of use throughout the year. Please note that I was staying in hostels though so I didn't need any camping gear. And what everyone has said about a backpack which zips all the way open is 100% spot on. That's what I bought and it's been the best. Good luck! Reply to this